Difficult PSLE question upsets
parents
How heavy are eight $1 Singapore coins? Six grams, 60g, 600g or
6kg?
That question in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)
mathematics paper on Friday has upset a number of people, including
parents.
At least one person suggested the question is not related to maths
and that it must have baffled many pupils sitting the exam, Chinese
evening daily Shin Min Daily News reported yesterday.
The person, surnamed Lee, posted on the Ministry of Education's
Facebook page seeking clarification.
"Are we having (an) IQ exam or maths exam?" wrote the Facebook
user, who also believed there could be more than one answer since
the candidates were not told the weight of each coin.
According to a mother whose letter was published by Chinese daily
Lianhe Zaobao, the exam question has generated a lot of discussion
among parents.
"Our children found it difficult to answer," wrote Yin Xiuping, who
said many pupils simply resorted to perception and estimation.
Some picked 600g because they had noticed how the pockets of their
pants had sagged each time they placed coins in them, said Ms
Yin.
Some based their answer on the belief that the weight of eight $1
coins is close to that of a 500ml mineral water bottle, she
added.
But private tutors told Shin Min that such questions are not
uncommon in primary school exams.
"The question is in line with the maths syllabus. For example,
pupils are taught to estimate the weights of objects such as a
watermelon," said Ann Tan.
Some teachers have even brought their pupils to supermarkets where
they can check out some common items first-hand, added Ms Tan.
According to another tutor, who wanted to be known only as Ms Sng,
many pupils still cannot answer such questions although they have
appeared before in the PSLE.
"Some parents want their children to only attend classes, take
tuition and do their homework... They are not even allowed to make
purchases on their own. But maths is all around us and children
should learn from their surroundings," said Ms Sng.
Ms Yin wrote: "The conclusion among parents from this question is
that their children should be made to do more housework so they
could acquire basic knowledge on life."
And the answer to the question? Based on a photo showing eight $1
coins on a weighing machine, which Shin Min got from a reader, the
coins weigh 61g.